Havre, Montana (Hill County) 10 Unforgettable Things To Do Nearby

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10 Fun Things To Do In and Around Havre, Montana (Hill County Travel Guide)

Planning a trip along Montana’s Hi-Line and wondering what to do in Havre? You’re in the right place. Havre may be a small town, but it’s packed with history, wide‑open views, and real Montana charm. Below are 10 things to do in Havre, Montana (and nearby Hill County) that will help you slow down, explore, and actually enjoy the journey across northern Montana.

1. Explore Havre Beneath the Streets

If you only have time for one thing in Havre, do this tour. After a huge fire in 1904, parts of Havre literally moved underground. Businesses set up in the basement level while the town rebuilt above them. Today, you can walk through that hidden world. On the Havre Beneath the Streets tour, you’ll see:
  • Old-time shops and a barbershop
  • A speakeasy-style saloon
  • A brothel, opium den, and jail cell
  • Original brick tunnels and storefronts
The tour feels a bit like walking onto a movie set, except it’s all real. Guides share stories about gamblers, railroad workers, and the wild early days of this Hi-Line town. Tip: Tours can fill up in summer. Call ahead or check hours before you roll into Havre.

2. Step Back in Time at the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump

Just above Havre, hidden behind a strip mall and some trees, is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Montana. The Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump was used by Native people for over 2,000 years. They drove bison off the cliff here, then processed the meat and hides below. You can walk the site and see:
  • Layers of ancient bison bones in the earth
  • Interpreted dig areas and displays
  • Recreated camp and tipi area
It’s an easy walk, and the views over the Milk River Valley are beautiful. If you’re traveling with kids, this stop turns “history” into something they can actually see and touch. Local tip: Wear sturdy shoes; the paths can be a bit uneven. Summer mornings or evenings are cooler and more comfortable.

3. Visit the H. Earl Clack Museum

Right next door to Wahkpa Chu’gn is the H. Earl Clack Museum, a small but surprisingly rich local museum. Inside, you’ll find:
  • Dinosaur fossils and prehistoric displays
  • Artifacts from the buffalo jump
  • Stories from homesteaders and railroad workers
  • Items from Havre’s early days on the Hi-Line
This is a great stop to understand the bigger picture of the area—how glaciers shaped the land, how Native tribes lived here, and how the railroad changed everything. It’s an easy add-on after the buffalo jump tour since you’re right there anyway.

4. Walk the Downtown Murals and Railroad History

Havre is a true railroad town. BNSF Railway still runs right through its heart, and trains are a constant backdrop. Take a slow walk through downtown and look for:
  • Colorful murals on brick buildings
  • Old neon signs and ghost signs faded into the walls
  • The Amtrak Empire Builder stop and busy rail yard
If you like photography, the mix of tracks, big skies, and old storefronts makes for some great shots. Pro tip: Stop into a local café or diner on 1st Street. It’s where you’ll hear ranchers talking weather, railroad crews grabbing coffee, and locals swapping the latest news. That’s the real Havre.

5. Enjoy Beaver Creek Park – Montana’s Long, Narrow Playground

About 10–15 miles south of town, you’ll reach Beaver Creek Park, one of the longest county parks in the United States. It stretches for roughly 17 miles along Beaver Creek, between the Bear Paw Mountains and rolling prairie. This is where locals go to unwind. You can:
  • Have a picnic by the creek
  • Go fishing for trout
  • Drive the park road and watch for deer and antelope
  • Camp in basic campgrounds under bright, wide-open skies
If you’re used to crowded state parks, this place will feel almost empty—in a good way. Nights are incredibly dark, so it’s perfect for stargazing. Pack this: Bug spray in summer, warm layers at night (even in July it can get cool), and a flashlight or headlamp if you’re staying after dark.

6. Take a Day Trip to Bear Paw Battlefield

About 16 miles south of Havre, near the town of Chinook, lies one of the most powerful historic sites in Montana: the Bear Paw Battlefield. This is where, in 1877, the Nez Perce War came to an end. Chief Joseph made his famous statement, “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever,” just short of the Canadian border. At the battlefield, you’ll find:
  • Walking paths with interpretive signs
  • A quiet, open landscape that hasn’t changed much since the battle
  • Opportunities for reflection and learning
It’s a peaceful place, but also moving and emotional when you understand what happened here. Plan an hour or two, and bring water—there’s very little shade.

7. Check Out the High Line Heritage House Museum

If you enjoy old homes and local stories, visit the High Line Heritage House Museum in Havre. It’s set in a historic house filled with:
  • Vintage furniture and household items
  • Old photographs of Havre and Hill County
  • Displays on early settlers and community life
It feels like stepping into your great‑grandparents’ house, if they had lived on the Montana prairie. Volunteers often have their own stories to share, which makes the visit feel personal. Tip: Hours can be seasonal or limited. It’s smart to check online or call ahead.

8. Fish, Boat, or Swim at Fresno Reservoir

About 14 miles west of Havre on U.S. Highway 2, you’ll hit Fresno Reservoir, a wide, blue stretch of water that feels like a surprise in the middle of the prairie. Popular things to do at Fresno include:
  • Fishing for walleye, northern pike, and perch
  • Boating and water-skiing in summer
  • Picnicking and watching those huge Hi-Line sunsets
If you’re road-tripping across northern Montana, this is a nice way to break up the drive. Throw a folding chair in your trunk, find a quiet spot, and just watch the light change on the water. Note: It can be windy here (this is the Hi-Line, after all). Bring an extra layer and secure anything light that might blow away.

9. Taste Local Flavor at Havre’s Breweries and Diners

After a day exploring, it’s time to eat. Havre won’t feel like a big foodie destination, but that’s part of its charm—the food is simple, hearty, and local. A few ideas:
  • Try a local brewery for Montana-made beer and pub food.
  • Grab a burger or chicken-fried steak at a classic small-town diner.
  • Look for daily specials—often based on what’s fresh and available.
If you enjoy meeting people when you travel, sit at the counter or bar and strike up a conversation. Folks here are generally friendly and curious about where you’re from. Personal note: In many Hi-Line towns, service can be a bit slower—but in a good way. It matches the pace of life. Lean into it and enjoy the slower rhythm.

10. Chase Big-Sky Views and Scenic Drives

One of the best things to do in Havre, Montana doesn’t cost a dime: simply drive. Hill County is classic Big Sky Country. Long, straight roads stretch for miles, with scattered farmhouses and the Bear Paw Mountains rising to the south. Ideas for scenic time behind the wheel:
  • Drive south toward the Bear Paws, especially near sunrise or sunset.
  • Take U.S. Highway 2 east or west and stop at small towns along the way.
  • Pull over at safe spots to snap photos of storm clouds, sunsets, or endless wheat fields.
On a clear night, step away from town lights and look up. The stars over Havre are incredible, and on dark, moonless nights you can often see the Milky Way stretching across the sky.

Planning Your Trip to Havre, Montana

Here are a few quick tips to make your visit smoother:
  • When to go: Late spring through early fall offers the best weather. Winters can be cold, windy, and snowy.
  • Getting there: Havre sits on U.S. Highway 2 and is also an Amtrak Empire Builder stop, making it a good side trip on a rail journey.
  • What to pack: Layers (even in summer), sunscreen, a hat, and a good camera. Distances are long here, so keep your gas tank topped off.
Havre isn’t a polished resort town. It’s a working community on the Hi-Line, surrounded by ranches, trains, and endless sky. That’s exactly what makes it worth a stop.

What Would You Do First in Havre?

Are you more excited to walk through Havre Beneath the Streets, explore Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump, or relax by Fresno Reservoir? Have you already been to Havre or Hill County and discovered a favorite spot I didn’t mention? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and tips from traveling the Hi-Line. And if you found this guide to things to do in Havre, Montana helpful, please share it with a friend who’s planning a Montana road trip. It might convince them to slow down, hop off the interstate, and discover this under-the-radar corner of Big Sky Country.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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